In the spring of 2024, Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the European Schengen area of ​​free movement. These changes have made travel to countries easier for millions of travelers. Find out why tourists should visit Romania in 2024

In March 2024, Romania became a partial member of the Schengen area, after thirteen years of waiting. In this regard, control at internal air and sea borders was abolished, and tourists from EU countries, visa-free states and Schengen visa holders will now be able to enter the country without any obstacles. The simplification of the migration policy has a positive effect on tourism.

Why should tourists visit Romania in 2024? We will talk about the main interesting places of the state further.

What should a tourist do in Romania in 2024?

- Visit Dracula's Castle, also known as Bran Castle

Of all the places of interest to visit in Romania, Bran Castle remains the most popular among international tourists and is certainly one of the most famous castles in the country. Although this Transylvanian castle was an important medieval fortress and home to Queen Maria of Romania, it is much more famous for one fictional resident, the vampire Count Dracula.

This is the #1 tourist attraction in Romania, so be prepared to meet a crowd of tourists here.

- Enjoy the most beautiful castle in Romania - Peles

Peles Castle in Sinai is a symbol of the royal family of Romania, which ruled the country for a short time.

It was built in the late 19th century by order of the first Romanian king to serve as a summer residence for the Romanian royal family.

The castle was built in the style of neo-Renaissance architecture with beautiful stained-glass windows, it was rightfully considered an engineering masterpiece of its time. There are a total of 160 rooms spread over 2 floors where guests can explore the artworks found in the art galleries, amazing crystal chandeliers and the armory with 15th century pieces.

- Stop in the old town of Brasov

If you are planning to visit Bran Castle, a stop in the Old Town of Brasov is a must, as this city is one of the most popular tourist destinations to visit in Romania.

It is known for its charming, well-preserved medieval atmosphere surrounded by mountains. The iconic landmark of the city is the Black Church - a temple that is an excellent example of medieval German-Saxon architecture. Completed in 1477, this majestic Gothic church is not only one of Romania's top attractions, but also the largest Lutheran place of worship.

- Take a hike in the wild Carpathians

55% of the territory of Romania is occupied by the Carpathians, which start from the foothills with a height of 800 m and reach 2554 m at the highest point called Moldovianu Peak. As such, the country is not only an amazing and unexplored destination for hiking, but also a great place for mountaineering, wildlife watching and all kinds of outdoor activities.

The Romanian Carpathians offer a wide selection of routes for everyone: from city dwellers who want to be outdoors, to hikers and experienced mountaineers looking for new challenges.

- Get acquainted with the object included in the UNESCO list - the Danube Delta

Castles, churches and old cities can be found in many countries around the world, but how many countries offer to enjoy scenic natural features, including river deltas.

Formed where the Danube River flows into the Black Sea, the delta is the second largest in Europe and the third most biodiverse in the world, behind only the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Galapagos Archipelago in Ecuador.

The Danube Delta is considered one of the largest and best preserved deltas in the world. In addition to picturesque canals, numerous lakes and soft marshes, it is home to more than 3,450 species of animals, including more than 300 species of birds, 1,700 species of plants, many fish and animals, including wild horses in the Letea Subtropical Forest.

Interesting and unusual entertainment for tourists in Romania

- Excursion on an old steam locomotive

The best way to enjoy the beauty of Romanian nature is a slow journey by steam train. The most famous is the Mokanita steam train in the Northwest Maramoros region. A 3-hour trip on the old narrow-gauge railway will allow you to appreciate the beauty of Romanian nature in detail.

- A cheerful cemetery

Sapanta cemetery is like an open-air museum, it is located in the village of Sapanta, Maramures region. Unlike the usual gloomy and gray cemeteries, the Merry Cemetery is filled with colorful tombstones, where the story of the deceased is told in a humorous way - with life lessons that will make you think.

- Underground Ferris wheel

40 minutes south of Cluj-Napoca, the city of Turda is home to one of the most popular and interesting tourist attractions in Romania: Salina Turda, as the locals call it, a salt mine from Roman times that now houses an interesting and unexpected amusement park.

- Haunted forest

The most mysterious sight in Romania is the Hoya Baciu forest near Cluj-Napoca. The forest is named after a shepherd and his entire flock of sheep, who disappeared here without any explanation. What makes this place truly unique is the unusual shape of the trees and their strange natural arrangement, which you usually don't see in the forest. One of the strangest places is a perfectly round clearing in the middle of the forest, where no vegetation grows - and all this without human intervention.

The capital Bucharest is the main highlight of Romania

Bucharest is one of the points that tourists should visit during their trip to Romania. The city has many historical sites, the most popular of which are the Eastern Orthodox Stavropol Church and the Old Prince's Court, where Vlad the Impaler once lived.

The city is also home to the second largest administrative building in the world (after the Pentagon) - the grand multi-story Palace of the Parliament.

In local restaurants, you can enjoy delicious dishes of soulful Romanian cuisine, which has collected all the best from the Balkan region, from Greeks, Turks and other neighbors.

Bucharest is a large Eastern European center with a vibrant nightlife.

How to get to Romania?

The easiest and most convenient way to come to Romania is to fly here. In addition to the main airport (Bucharest Otopeni), there are 9 airports in major cities served by low-cost airlines (mainly Wizz Air and Ryan Air) flying to more than 100 destinations in Europe. If you plan your trip in advance, you can find tickets for 60 euros round trip.

The second way is to travel in your own car.

You can also get here by direct trains from Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia or Thessaloniki.

The best time to vacation in Romania

For sightseeing trips, the best period is from April to October, when the weather is good, warm and the days are longer.

The peak holiday season is from August 1st to September 15th, so if you are planning to travel to Romania during this period, make sure to book well in advance.

Is it safe to visit Romania?

Romania is a safe travel destination, with no terrorist attacks, violent protests or civil unrest.

Romania is a country shrouded in legends, which is often mistakenly considered to be stuck in the past. This state usually surprises visitors with its bright, fashionable urban centers and well-preserved monuments that, once upon a time, may have been home to vampires after all.

We will remind you! The rating of the best cities in the world for independent travel is at the link.

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Planning a trip or move abroad? An important part of a successful trip is an insurance policy, as it guarantees high-quality medical care anywhere in the world and can protect you from unnecessary expenses while travelling.  You can buy insurance from trusted agents on the Visit World portal. 

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